I had a free night, so I headed down to iTap in Soulard. What caught my attention you ask? How about a nice IPA from 2nd Shift called El Gato Grande. Steve Crider sure can brew it. But, the girls tending bar were having issues with the keg so I switched over to another IPA. My server Emily recommended Odells Double IPA. It's name...Mercenary Double IPA. My was it good.
I had to get home and had time for one more, so I asked Emily for a recommendation of a really big beer. She knows her stuff and she knows me. Emily took about a half a second and said "how about a Boulevard Rye on Rye.
I have to tell you...it was amazing. Of course, it was sweet, but anytime you drink anything over liquor barrels you know it will be. But, Boulevard has done a really nice job with this. I can't wait to taste it again. And thank you Emily for a really great beer!
I saw ODell's IPA in a local liquor store this week and couldn't pass up the chance to sample it again. The Fort Collins product was just as good this time as it was the last time I sampled it. It has a gold color, a great hoppy flavor and a nice finish, that to me, tastes like grapefruit. An excellent product.This weekend at the neighbor's happy hour I was served another nice IPA. This one is called Long Hammer IPA from Red Hook Brewing. It's good but not in the same class as ODell's IPA. (Not many are). Long Hammer has a brass color to it. The smell of Cascade hops is present and finishes with a lemon like flavor. It was little more watery than I prefer but still a nice beer. Thanks to my great neighbor H for the sampling.
I had yet another tasty Indian Pale Ale over the weekend. This one is brewed by Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado and named simply IPA.It has a rich hoppy flavor and ended strong. It is very drinkable with an IBU of 60 and alcohol by volume of seven percent. I will definitely drink this beer again.
